Recitals help to expose students and teachers to new music

Every year, my students complete a recital.  It's a good challenge for students.  They search for music to learn, think about acquiring an accompanist or use recorded backing track.  Visit music stores, research the Internet, listen to music and decide which pieces to perform and fit into their theme or objectives.  Every year, I too get exposed to some amazing music I have never heard before.  I end up asking the students if I can keep their music to sight read and also learn some new tunes to add to my list of repertoire I can play.  It's fascinating and enriching for students to be exposed to different styles and different RCM pieces of music.  Some students include small ensemble material as well.  They arrange a guest speaker to announce the tunes.  Some students arrange to share some bits of information about the music.  Some students invite family members to attend and some students even bring refreshments!  It's great that students perform for their classmates, so the learning that takes place is immeasurable, I think.  I find the best part for me is the music that inspires me to continue to learn as well.  I am amazed at the artistry and level of sophisticated understanding students delve into as a result of meeting this recital challenge every year.  It's definitely a keeper!